Objective: To observe the effect of the variant
xiaoqinglong decoction on plasm interleukin-4(IL-4) content and
expression
of IL-4mRNA of spleen cell in allergic rhinitis rats and to show the part mechanism of the variant
xiaoqinglong decoction treating allergic rhinitis. Method: 40 wistar male rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, the xiaoqinglong decoction group, the variant xiaoqinglong decoction group and astemizole group with 8 cases in each group according to its weight. Generally sensitized rats were received repeated local booster sensitizeation into nasal cavity with egg albumin. Plasm IL-4 was assayed using Elisa double antibody sandwich method and
expression of IL-4mRNA of spleen cell was detected by RT-PCR. Results: Plasm IL-4 and expression of IL-4mRNA of increased significantly in AR model group and decreased remarkably to normal nearly in the variant xiaoqinglong decoction group. The variant xiaoqinglong decoction group was better than xiaoqinglong decoction group. Conclusions: One of mechanism of the variant xiaoqinglong decoction treating AR may lower plasm IL-4 content and and expression of IL-4mRNA of in AR rats and alleviate allergic inflammation in nasal mucous membranes. Keys words The variant xiaoqinglong decoction(小青龙汤加味); allergic rhinitis; IL-4; IL-4mRNA